EPIC to Host Community Forums on Richardson Grove

February 9, 2010

EPIC and the Coalition to Save Richardson Grove will host two community forums to address the impacts of the proposed Richardson Grove Highway Improvement project in February.

EPIC and the Save Richardson Grove Coalition announce the presentation of two Community Awareness Night Public Forums. The Forums will highlight aspects of the CALTRANS Richardson Grove Realignment Project that have not been widely publicly discussed or covered in the CALTRANS draft Environmental Impact Report.

Each forum will feature presentations by panelists and a period for public discussion.

The Northern Humboldt Public Forum will be held at the Bayside Grange in Arcata on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 from 6:30 PM-8:30 PM. A featured panelist will be Sharon Duggan of EPIC speaking on the CEQA process.

The Southern Humboldt Public Forum will be held at the Garberville Veterans Hall on Wednesday, February 24 from 7:00-9:00 PM. In addition to the presentations by panelists and public discussion, the forum will feature a performance of original music by local artist Jefferson Parson.

Topics will include Environmental Impacts, Safety, Economic Justification, Sustainable Development, Native American Issues, Impacts to Local Businesses and Alternatives. The choice of topics will vary in emphasis for each forum but the attempt will be made to touch upon each topic given the available time.

WHO'S TREES? OUR TREES!

EPIC installs roadside billboard

Redwood Times

Posted: 01/27/2010 10:23:27 AM PST

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A new roadside billboard installed by the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) sends a clear message to motorists traveling north on Highway 101 to Humboldt County: Save Richardson Grove.

EPIC staff and volunteers painted and installed the new billboard Jan. 16. The sign faces northbound traffic about 13 miles south of Richardson Grove and reads “Save Richardson Grove” as well as listing EPIC’s website address, wildcalifornia.org.

”This billboard is just one element in our grassroots, community-based campaign to stop this ill-advised construction project proposed by Caltrans,” said Kerul Dyer, EPIC’s Outreach Director. “The billboard lets all passing motorists know that the cathedral grove within Richardson Grove State Park faces real threats and encourages them to learn more about the issue at our website, wildcalifornia.org.”

EPIC will host a public forum February 16 at the Bayside Grange from 6:30-8:30 p.m. to discuss the proposed Richardson Grove project, in coordination with the Richardson Grove Coalition, who will host additional forums in Garberville and Fortuna. In addition, EPIC will organize other strategic events before the release of the project’s final Environmental Impact Report and Environmental Assessment, which are expected at the beginning of March. Once Caltrans releases these final documents, the agency has indicated it will not accept further public input on the plan.

District 1 Caltrans reported last month that planners have made major changes to the original project proposal to address concerns brought forward through the public comment in the planning process. In recent weeks, Humboldt County Supervisors Mark Lovelace and Clif Clendenen attended a private tour of these proposed changes but no information has yet been made available to the public.

EPIC’s efforts represent only one strand of a vibrant coalition from across California, organizing to protect the ancient grove and our unique region’s local economy.

”There are many levels on which this proposed project is a bad idea,” said Scott Greacen, EPIC’s Executive Director. “This project will negatively impact Richardson Grove’s immediate environment and potentially damage protected species’ habitat. Additionally, there are concerns that allowing larger commercial trucks through the grove will lead to an influx of big box retailers and threaten the rural character of Humboldt County.”

Submitted by EPIC

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY EPIC

A new roadside billboard installed by the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) sends a clear message to motorists traveling north on Highway 101 to Humboldt County: Save Richardson Grove.

Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) » Take Action to Save Richardson Grove

Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) » Take Action to Save Richardson Grove

From Trees Foundation's "Forest and River News"

Defending Public Lands
The Redwood Curtain Bicycle Run, Part I

by Jeffrey "Muskrat" Musgrave
December 18, 2009


What do you do if your state budget is being slashed and burned by an inept actor (again), your State Parks are closing, and corporations are conspiring with developers and state transportation agencies to invade your rural and progressive paradise? On October 2, 2009, activists departed north of Arcata, California, on a bicycle ride heading south to bring attention to the proposed Caltrans project to widen Highway 101 within Richardson Grove State Park; and to support California State Parks facing closure due to Governor Schwarzenegger's state budget cuts. The "Redwood Curtain Bicycle Run" was a three-day adventure of cycling, camping, fun, and interaction with residents of Humboldt County along the Redwood Highway, ending at the "Redwood Curtain" of Richardson Grove State Park.

The Redwood Curtain is a living barrier that shields our pristine location from mass development and Big Box invasion. The Richardson Grove "Improvement" Project (RIP) is designed to RIP a hole in the Redwood Curtain. The project proposes removal of 87 trees, cutting and paving over the roots of 30 ancient coastal redwoods that line the highway, and construction of a three-hundred-foot-long retaining wall. This is a $10 million project for a two-mile section of the Redwood Highway, US 101. Within a State Park. Without wildlife surveys.

Following is my account of the Redwood Curtain Bicycle Run.